Vital Farms Organic
| Rating |  |
| Farm/Brand Headquarters | Austin, TX |
| Website | https://vitalfarms.com/eggs/ |
| Market Area | Nationwide |
| Total Score | 1135 |
Vital Farms’ products, including shell eggs, butter, hard-boiled eggs, and liquid whole eggs, are sold in over 22,000 stores nationwide. Vital Farms pasture-raised eggs can also be found on menus at hundreds of foodservice operators across the country.
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1700) | 1135 | 4-egg |
Brands that have close daily control over their egg production receive the most points. Ownership Structure | 75 | Multiple farms supply this brand, contract production with close relationship |
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Brands that only produce organic products make the biggest investments — in time and money — in systems that benefit us all. Eggs sourced from a single operation receive the most points. Eggs of unclear origins and/or with poor oversight receives the fewest points. Commitment to Organic Label | 75 | Brand markets primarily conventional “pastured” eggs, suppliers do not have “split production” on property |
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Additional certifications, depending on the credibility of the label, can demonstrate a commitment beyond the organic standards. Other Labels and Standards | 60 | Certified Humane (Pastured) |
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Smaller flock sizes (the number of laying hens per housing structure) offer better animal welfare conditions. Flock Size(s) | 50 | Flocks of 20,000 birds or less |
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The best housing offers space for natural behaviors and legitimate access to the outdoors through adequate exits. Hen Housing and Exit Areas | 60 | Fixed housing barns; many use aviary barns; brand standards for exits to rotated pasture (around barns) |
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Adequate indoor spacing reduces stress and disease. With less crowding, birds can stretch their wings and more easily perform other natural behaviors. Indoor Spacing | 20 | 1.2 square feet allotted per hen |
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High scoring brands provide enough space to allow each hen to fully utilize their outdoor area, and to perform instinctive behaviors without harming the environment. Outdoor Spacing | 100 | 108.9 square feet/hen brand standard (total over lifetime as layer) |
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High quality outdoor access includes vegetation, soil, and ample opportunities to forage year-round. Quality of Outdoor Access | 75 | Outdoor area rotated; brand standard is to maintain 50% vegetation, often including shrubs and trees |
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Birds that are introduced to the outdoors early are more accustomed to spending time outdoors without fear or stress. Outdoor Access Timing | 25 | 22 weeks |
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Year-round access to perches, scratching areas, deep litter, novel foodstuffs, and dust bathing contribute to quality of life. Enrichments | 100 | Enrichments provided indoors and outdoors; hay is provided in high traffic areas |
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Chickens use their beaks to interact with the world. Authentic organic farmers account for this behavior, eschewing beak trimming. Alterations | 70 | Hens are beak trimmed at hatcheries; induced molting is not allowed |
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Raising chicks on farm or buying them from certified organic hatcheries shows dedication to organic production from start to finish. Chicks and Pullets | 50 | This brand dictates where/how their egg suppliers source their birds |
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Brands that have low rates of deaths and utilize their spent hens for human consumption or similar score the highest. Deaths, Culls, and Spent Hens | 65 | Death rate below 10%; spent hens are sold live, used for food, or composted |
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Brands that closely monitor and manage health of soil, native species, and water quality receive the most points. Environmental Impacts | 75 | Brand makes some efforts toward environmental stewardship; manure is sold or composted |
| Feed Sourcing | 50 | Obtains feed from organic suppliers that distribute locally |
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Brands that score well here go above and beyond to ensure the highest animal welfare, taking into consideration their hens’ safety and cleanliness, natural behavior, and stress levels. Animal Welfare | 75 | Good animal welfare benchmark |
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Cornucopia believes you have a right to transparency. Top brands share information with Cornucopia via a survey and cooperate with our own independent investigations. Transparency | 100 | Full and open transparency |
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Brands do not receive points, but this information is offered for people with soy and/or gluten allergies. Soy free and/or gluten free? | Gluten free but not soy free | |
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Brands do not receive points, but are invited to submit the name of their Accredited Organic Certifier (suppliers may have different certifiers). Organic Certifier (non-scoring) | QCS (Quality Certification Services) and OnMark Certification Services | |
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Extra credit is offered for various practices that go above-and-beyond in some form. Extra Credit | 10 | Provided information about Vital Farm's conventional lines |
